Headlines

Explore a chronological display of Cowboy State Daily’s articles.

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Wyoming Legislature’s nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask. It had “overwhelming support” across the Legislature. Above, Freedom Caucus members outside the state Capitol in Cheyenne during the 2026 legislative session.

Why Are People Blaming The Freedom Caucus For $4 Billion School Funding Package?

People are blaming — and crediting — the Wyoming Freedom Caucus for the Legislature's nearly $4 billion school spending package. Whether the caucus deserves either depends on whom you ask, but the package had "overwhelming support" from both parties.

Clair McFarlandMay 22, 2026

Letter To The Editor: No, The Women Weren't Making Coffee

Dear editor: I also was around the Crandall Ranger Station, where there were two women who were the trail crew for the trails around the Beartooth Mountain areas. They would go out on Monday and come back on Fridays, backpacking and carrying their crosscut saw, axes and whatever else they needed.

May 22, 2026

Letter To The Editor: Gigantic Black Bear Might Really Be A Grizzly

Dear editor: I think Wyoming Fish and Game biologists should do an examination of the bear to determine the species before pronouncing it a huge black bear.

May 22, 2026

Some Wyoming firearms manufacturers say that YouTube has censored their content, without offering any solid reason why. “It’s incredibly frustrating,” one company representative said.

Wyoming Firearms Companies Say YouTube Unfairly Targets Gun-Related Content

Some Wyoming firearms companies say YouTube is unfairly censoring and banning them without giving solid reasons why. "I hate to lose the audience, but I don't miss the BS,” said a video creator about dealing with YouTube before getting kicked off.

Mark HeinzMay 22, 2026

Steve Price was skilled at keeping a bidding war going higher, such as for a Josh Allen jersy at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter’s Fur Ball fundraiser.

Remembering Steve Price: Wyoming Cowboy, Auctioneer And Money-Raising ‘Legend'

Steve Price was a real Wyoming cowboy, auctioneer, and a “legend” raising money for Cheyenne people and causes. “I don’t know anybody who wasn’t his friend,” a fellow auctioneer said about Price after his death earlier this month.

Dale KillingbeckMay 21, 2026

After Attorney General Says Don't, Converse County Won’t Fast-Track Data Centers

Converse County this week rescinded an order that could have fast-tracked data centers and given the county more control in the process. It's a legal issue. But people also "lost their minds” when they heard “fast-track,” said a local legislator.

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026

Former BLM Director Says Steve Pearce’s Confirmation Is Good News For Wyoming

A former BLM director says Steve Pearce’s confirmation to lead agency is good news for Wyoming’s energy industries, ranchers and land use. “It’s supposed to be used for all sorts of things,” William Perry Pendley said about federal public lands.

Kate MeadowsMay 21, 2026

Police Say Drunk Lusk Man Rammed Stolen Skid Steer Into Local Motel

A man accused of drunkenly driving a stolen skid steer into a motel in Lusk could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted. “People do stupid things when they’re drunk,” said the motel manager. "This could have been really, really bad.”

Kolby FedoreMay 21, 2026

Outdoorsman and wildlife filmmaker Casey Anderson encountered 47 grizzly bears before noon in the high country of the Southern Absaroka mountains. The bears were congregating to gorge themselves on army cutworm moths.

Filmmaker Finds 47 Grizzlies Gorging On Moths High Up Absaroka Mountains

A wildlife filmmaker spotted 47 grizzlies in the Absaroka Mountains before noon, more than twice as many as he's ever seen in one day in the Yellowstone area. They were feasting on moths, so he tried one. "They taste like honey-roasted peanuts,” he said.

Mark HeinzMay 21, 2026

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. Above, Brian "Alf" Grzegorczyk has helped raise more than $4.5 million for local charities through his Thankful Thursday events.

Charity Bar Games Getting Shut Down By Wyoming Gambling Crackdown

Wyoming regulators are cracking down on bar raffle games like Queen of Hearts and Music Bingo that raise money for charities, saying they’re illegal gambling. “Why is horse racing an exception, but not charity?” asks an event organizer.

Renée JeanMay 21, 2026

Storm Brings Up To 2 Inches Of Water, But Not Close To Busting Wyoming’s Drought

Parts of Wyoming got up to 2 inches of water from this week’s storm that shut down I-80 and Rawlins for more than a day. But it wasn’t a drought-buster. “Getting rid of a drought is like eating an elephant — one bite at a time,” said meteorologist Don Day.

Andrew RossiMay 21, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Show with Jake - Thursday, May 21, 2026

Jake in the 307. Weekday mornings 6-10 a.m.

Jake NicholsMay 21, 2026

Cowboy State Daily Video News: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Thursday's headlines include: Flaming Gorge Loses More Water Another Calf Dead In Ranch Dog Feud Chugwater Wind, Solar Project Approved

Mac WatsonMay 21, 2026

Former Wyoming Minister 'Unequivocally Denies’ Claims Of Sex Abuse Against Boys

A former Wyoming minister “unequivocally denies” in a Wednesday court filing claims that he sexually abused three boys in the 1990s. "He has never hurt a young person,” his attorney says, adding that despite the lawsuit, “he is praying for all involved."

Clair McFarlandMay 21, 2026

Emotions were mixed for the 450-MW Chugwater Energy Project before getting its final unanimous approval from Platte County on Wednesday, May 20. 2026. “If people really didn’t want wind turbines they should have bought” the land, one of the 30 project landowners said.

Huge Chugwater Wind And Solar Project Gets Final Unanimous OK From Platte County

Emotions were mixed for the 450-MW Chugwater Energy Project before getting its final unanimous approval from Platte County on Wednesday. “If people really didn’t want wind turbines they should have bought” the land, one of the 30 project landowners said.

Kate MeadowsMay 21, 2026

Tom Lubnau: What The CCP And Wyoming Republican Central Committee Have in Common

Columnist Tom Lubnau writes, "At first glance, a comparison between the Chinese Communist Party and the Wyoming Republican Central Committee seems almost absurd. What could they possibly share in common? Quite a bit, it turns out."

Tom LubnauMay 20, 2026

Ken Buck: Kentucky's Electoral Lesson — The Price of Fiscal Accountability

Columnist Ken Buck writes, "Tuesday night's results in Kentucky's primary reveal the cost of principled leadership that puts our country's financial health ahead of party dogma. Massie may not be heading back to Washington next year, but he sure put his country ahead of his ego, and he deserves our gratitude for it."

Ken BuckMay 20, 2026

Hawk Springs Reservoir, a popular boating and fishing area in Goshen County, is already low because of drought, and could be essentially dried up by the end of summer.

Goshen County’s Hawk Springs Reservoir, A Favorite For Anglers, Drying Up Fast

Hawk Springs Reservoir in Goshen County is a popular fishing and boating spot for locals and other Wyomingites. But it’s already incredibly low, and might be dried up by the end of summer.

Mark HeinzMay 20, 2026

Data Center Rumors Provoke Fear, Concern In Lincoln County

Rumors of a data center development in Lincoln County has provoked fear as locals get more vocal against them. “Everybody’s talking about them,” a county commissioner said — and jumping the gun, because there are now no data center projects on the table.

Kate MeadowsMay 20, 2026

A cow shows the effects of an attack by what its owner believes is roaming Great Pyranese dogs that have allegedly been killing cattle for years.

‘We’re Just Tired Of It’: Another Calf Found Dead In Wyoming Ranch Dog Feud

Another calf was killed near Kinnear overnight Tuesday as a bitter feud over roaming Great Pyrenees dogs escalates. “We’re just tired of it,” a rancher said about one of her bottle-fed calves found partially eaten.

Kolby FedoreMay 20, 2026

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily on Wednesday that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

‘Don’t Step Out Of Line’: Massie Loss A Message To All Republican Candidates

State politicos told Cowboy State Daily that the Trump-driven ousting of Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie sends a message to Wyoming and the nation. “Don’t step out of line,” says a former legislator. “If you do, you’ll get the boot.”

Clair McFarlandMay 20, 2026

A weekend fire that gutted Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse may not be the end for the run-down 134-year-old building that, as recent as six months ago, was set for demolition. “We’ve really tried hard not to be the council to tear it down,” says the mayor.

Devastating Fire May Not Be End For Historic 134-Year-Old Cheyenne Pumphouse

A weekend fire that gutted Cheyenne’s Historic Pumphouse may not be the end for the run-down 134-year-old building that, as recently as six months ago, was set for demolition. “We’ve really tried hard not to be the council to tear it down,” says the mayor.

Greg JohnsonMay 20, 2026

A skinny-looking young black bear has been hanging around a rural neighborhood near Upton in Weston County. Residents say it’s been timid so far.

‘Our Resident Bear’: Scrawny Black Bear Hangs Out Around Rural Upton Neighborhood

A young, scrawny and seemingly confused black bear has been hanging around a rural Weston County neighborhood outside Upton. “He’s, like, our resident bear,” says one resident who had to shoo it away from garbage cans. So far, though, it’s behaving.

Mark HeinzMay 20, 2026

Flaming Gorge Marinas Race To Survive As 1M Acre-Feet Of Water Sent Downriver

Releases of up to 1 million acre-feet of water downriver from Flaming Gorge are gutting the gorge’s world-famous kokanee fishery and has marinas racing to survive. “This is like a holocaust for nature,” said one marina owner about the impact.

Renée JeanMay 20, 2026

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